Career Story: Owner Of An Online Retail Store

Owner Of An Online Retail Store

Education: BA in English and Physics, Pierce College  BA in Computer Graphics, Mohave College

Previous Experience: Funny thing is none of my jobs have any relations to my degrees until owning an E-commerce Store. Having the computer graphics skills helps to build a nice site.

Job Tasks: My E-commerce company sells toys and novelty items, new, antique, and genty used modern, Manga and Anime type items. People expect quality so look for the best but do not always assume "no-one would want that!", you would be surprised by how many people actually do!

Typical day is taking many many pictures, loading pictures, creating a description of the item, listing the items on-line at a fair but still profitable price, searching for requests and re-stocking, shipping and receiving stock, accounting and inventory control, and advertising.

60% of my day is spent on essential tasks vs. 40% administrative. It doesn't seem like much but it is very hard work with lots of up-keep and advertising, always keeping track of your stock and keeping impeccable records.

Not much traveling, only to pick up stock locally or search for new/old requested stock at thrifts or estate sales.

Don't be fooled into thinking E-commerce is an easy job, it takes plenty of work and plenty of marketing to create a solid base. Always be courteous to your customers and treat them as the gold they are and they will return. Communication, communication, communication, even if it's a simple "Thank You!", it goes a very long way in the E-commerce field.

There are slow times and high times in E-commerce so always be prepared for down time because you never know when that time will hit and, believe me, it will hit. Have a back up plan for the slow times if you must but always try to keep you chin up.

Best and Worst Parts of the Job: Best part of the job is knowing someone on the planet is enjoying, playing with, or admiring the toy or novelty they found in my store.

Worst part is not being able to find 'that one thing' that someone else really wants but I don't have one of.

Job Tips:1. Know everything there is to know about what you sell and be prepared for questions about them and most of all enjoy what you sell.

2. Communicate with your customers and go the extra length to make them feel welcome in your store.

3. Always say "Thank You!"

Additional Thoughts: Work hard and enjoy what you do because not enjoying what you do is the first step to a life of misery.

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What are Career Stories?

Career Stories are concise, real-world career overviews written by people relating their personal career experiences and wisdom. They provide invaluable insights and mentoring advice to students and career changers.